Top 10 Reasons To Love Pembrokeshire This Summer

By Kerry Curson
26 June 2014

There are so many reasons to love the coastal county of Pembrokeshire but to keep this blog short and sweet (kind of) we have narrowed it down to the top ten reasons that make Pembrokeshire a must on your summer bucket list.

1. Award Winning Beaches
First there are the sandy beaches that offer such a unique beauty, each one different to the next. Newgale has the waves for surfers and the quaint country pub to enjoy the silhouettes of passersby as the sun sets. Freshwater West boasts white sands and rugged sand dunes that roll off into the distance as far as the eye can see and then there’s Little Haven - a lagoon like cove where you can enjoy some solitude as you watch the waves roll up and down the shore line.

2. Castles and Heritage
Next you have the wide array of castles and heritage that lay hidden in the towns and the hillsides; from Pembroke Castle, still fully maintained to Haverfordwest castle ruins which sit overlooking the town acting as the backdrop for the perfect walk or picnic. Experience lives as the Iron Age Pembrokeshire-dwellers did, at Castell Henllys, and learn of the Preseli bluestones.

3. Wildlife
The incredible wildlife is simply waiting to be discovered as seals, puffins and dolphins can be found living happily along the shore line whilst red kites, rabbits and squirrels stalk the forests and countryside for their next meal.

4. Adventure Sports
You can enjoy some of the best adventure sports like surfing, Coasteering and kayaking at beaches like Newgale and Whitesands. Where else can you kite surf, ride on horse back through the surf, go zorbing or dive head first into the warm waters off our coastline. Whether you’re an extreme sports enthusiast or just fancy trying something different - Pembrokeshire has it all.

5. Pembrokeshire Coast Path
You can then soak up views from above walking rugged coastal walk trails that span each previously mentioned beach and more. Lonely Planet called it ‘one of the best long-distance trails in the world’. It spans 186 miles, passes through 14 harbours and 58 beaches, and tracks every cliff and cove between St Dogmaels and Amroth - whether your on your own, with friends, family or loved ones a stroll along out coastal path is a must!

6. Quaint Towns and Villages
From award winning independent retailers selling local delicacies, pottery and jewellery to local butchers selling Pembrokeshire harvest and fare - you'll be spoilt for choice when ambling though one of Pembrokeshire towns and villages. Choose from a stroll down Narberth's high street or enjoy a short drive to Solva where in June and July "Under Milk Wood" is being filmed - head further west and visit St David's, Britain's smallest city with around 1300 residents.

7. Preseli Mountain WalksYou can see them from the paths of the Bluestone resort but it is when you pay a visit in person things get pretty breathtaking as you absorb Foel Eryr’s 360 degree view, on a clear day stretching as far as Snowdonia and Ireland. The views are spectacular whatever the time of year you visit - from the numerous peaks and troughs of the Mountain range surrounded by lush green hills that seem to roll on and on.

8. Food and Drink
This was easy to come up with – the fantastic food that Pembrokeshire has to boast is a broad spectrum of sweet treats of Welsh Cakes, local chocolate and locally made jams alongside some more hearty savoury dishes like rarebit, cawl and laverbread. Better still; enjoy your very own catch of the day after some bay-side fishing. Did we mention Pembrokeshire has its own vineyards if you fancy a tipple?

9. Local Events
At 9 we have picked the variety of local events that span the county from music festivals, classical events and art/literary celebrations within local museums and galleries to the simplicity of soaking up local talent in pubs and clubs.

10. Family Friendly Attractions
Last but not least are the family friendly attractions from the 100 plus activities found across our own resort including some real adventure in the Steep Ravine Forest to local attractions like Folly Farm, Oakwood Theme Park, Dinosaur Park and Anna’s Welsh Zoo. All in all there’s pretty much no reason not to come to Pembrokeshire this summer...

Pembrokeshire has some of the most spectacular beaches and coastline not just in Wales, but throughout the UK and now a poll has confirmed yet again how our golden sandy beaches are loved so much by visitors. Media Wales undertook a poll of Wales’ beaches and out of the top 20, seven are in Pembrokeshire – with Barafundle Bay at the top.